ROCKFORD — The playoffs have arrived early for the Belvidere football team.

After losing four consecutive games, the Bucs are back on track having won their second straight with Friday’s 42-7 win against East in NIC-10 action.

The Bucs (4-4) now need to win their final regular season game against conference champion Boylan to become playoff eligible next Friday.

“The kids have risen to the occasion and have done what we’ve asked them to do,” Belvidere coach Chuck Leonard said. “We have a big challenge ahead of us in playing one of the state’s best teams. We will be preparing to play our best.”

The Bucs were in fine form on both sides of the ball against East (2-6). Belvidere’s defense picked off a pair of East quarterback Jake Benson passes and forced two fumbles, while the offense finished with 302 total yards.

“We try to be balanced in the game,” Leonard said. “Garrett (Hyser) made really nice throws tonight. We executed well and protected the ball well.”

Hyser was 11-of-19 passing for 224 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. The team’s top receiver Chris Colquett had four receptions for 88 yards and scored on TD passes of 12 and 54 yards.

Colquett’s 54-yard TD gave the Bucs a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.

“They came out clicking on all cyclinders,” East coach Jeremy Warren said. “The two early fumbles and interception got us behind.”

Belvidere’s Maurice Jackson led all rushers with 69 yards. He also had one touchdown. East’s Kavy Vongouvanh scored on a 4-yard TD run with 1:20 left in the game. He led the E-Rabs with 43 yards rushing.